Quotes of The Week

“A tragedy of enormous scale.”
UNHCR Europe director Vincent Cochetel urging the EU not to bury its head in the sand and to find an adequate replacement for Italy’s Mare Nostrum rescue mission after at least 300 migrants died in rough...

“The EU cannot spring into action and be caught by surprise only when Libya becomes a failed State.”
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat urging German Chancellor Angela Merkel to keep Libya high on the EU agenda and recognise the risk of ISIS...

“It’s like making a cake, then spitting on it.”
Renzo Piano’s lead architect Antonio Belvedere branding the decision to place the tatty monti stalls next to Valletta’s new Parliament building a “shame, I am crying”.
“We grieve for those who were...

“Child abuse happens in dark corners. Our job is to shed the light.”
Curia Safeguarding Commission head Andrew Azzopardi on the task of investigating sex abuse cases in the Church and improving prevention.
“There is no incompatibility.”
Apostolic...

“Unless the situation improves, we could in the short term be looking at the collapse of the Libyan State and its institutions.”
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat addressing diplomats accredited to Malta.
“Rainer loved Malta and it is so wonderful to...

“We must not turn this into a clash of civilisations that will put off the moderate elements of Islam from further integrating in society.”
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat speaking in the aftermath of the terrorist attack in Paris against the...

“A source of light does not have to be at the centre of a room to illuminate the entire area.”
Apostolic Administrator Charles Scicluna in reaction to President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca’s Republic Day speech where she said the Church was no...

“Overall, a lack of reading with its concomitant lack of thinking skills is becoming alarmingly apparent.”
A report by the Matsec Examinations Board which highlighted students’ poor use of English in the English Language Secondary Education...

“The conditions are so bad many migrants... ask to be sent to detention as conditions are better there.”
JRS psychologist Julian Caruana on Mount Carmel Hospital’s “substandard” conditions – most migrants are only admitted after trying to commit...

“Seventy per cent of soldiers assigned to detention services were army’s rejects.”
Former detention services head Col Brain Gatt speaking about the situation in the closed centres when Malian Mamadou Kamara had died in the army’s custody in...

“My client is contending that he has become a political football.”
Lawyer Edward Gatt asking why Paul Sheehan, the Home Affairs Minister’s driver charged with attempted murder, was arrested a week after he fired two shots at a car.
“I have a...

“Building hotels on more of Malta’s shores will add to the ring of cement that mars our coastline.”
Din l-Art Ħelwa president Simone Mizzi criticising the government’s proposal to build three hotels in outside development zones in the south.
“St...

“The party must not put aside bread and butter issues in its quest to lure back liberal voters.”
Former AD chairman and socio­logist Michael Briguglio speaking in the aftermath of the PN’s first general convention.
“He was warned several...

“We unanimously agreed to press the pause button.”
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat saying EU leaders had agreed to allow finance ministers to get the necessary verifications on the money each country owed before paying up.
“No attempts to tamper...

“I don’t know whether he’s dead or alive.”
Etienne Cassar insisting he has no idea about the whereabouts of his business partner Ryan Schembri, who fled with his wife and son, leaving a trail of debt behind.
“The gas power station will be...

“Every single investor is part of Malta Inc.”
British strategist Alastair Campbell urging Malta to adopt a master image to be used by government agencies to promote a single brand.
“Once you go beyond the EU, nobody knows about us.”
Economy...

“Fares will be affordable.”
Transport Minister Joe Mizzi refusing to confirm whether bus fares will go up once a Spanish company takes over public transport.
“I was not speeding as there is a speed camera outside the tunnel and nobody likes...